Akiko’s Restaurant 431 Bush St San Francisco, CA 94108 Dining date: 12/2/13 I’ve always found San Francisco to have a surprisingly lackluster Japanese food scene, made very noticeable once I moved to Los Angeles. Comparing some of the most oft-eaten Japanese foods like sushi and ramen – SF hasn’t really had any noteworthy standouts. However,…
Keiko à Nob Hill 1250 Jones St San Francisco, CA 94109 Dining date: 12/1/13 My dad’s mentioned Keiko à Nob Hill a number of times in the past as a potential restaurant, but we didn’t try it until this most recent trip to celebrate some November birthdays. Chef Keiko Takahashi and partner Seigo Takei opened…
Republique 624 S La Brea Ave Los Angeles, CA 90036 Dining date: 12/6/13 Chef Walter Manzke (Bastide, Church & State, countless collaborative/pop-up events) has become one of my favorite chefs in Los Angeles over the years, so I’ve been eagerly awaiting this opening for a long time. Taking over the location of famed Campanile &…
Commonwealth 2224 Mission Street San Francisco, CA 94110 Dining date: 11/29/13 My first two visits to Commonwealth were excellent. The food was creative, well-executed and delicious within a very well-priced tasting menu ($65 at the time with $10 going directly to a local charity). Given I don’t spend as much time in San Francisco as…
Wolvesmouth Underground Dining Various locations Dining date: 11/22/13 It’s been a busy year for Craig Thornton and his Wolvesmouth team. His underground dinners have continued to be in high-demand, easily the most noteworthy of its kind in the city (and perhaps country). The success of his underground dinners has spawned collaborations and events across the…
Orsa & Winston 122 W 4th St Los Angeles, CA 90013 Dining date: 11/9/13 Orsa & Winston is Josef Centeno’s latest venture in his growing lineup of downtown restaurants. The highly-acclaimed Baco Mercat came first, quickly followed by Bar Ama and now Orsa & Winston next door. All three restaurants opened up within a span…
b.o.s. 424 E 2nd St Los Angeles, CA 90012 Dining date: 11/12/13 b.o.s. is one of the newest restaurants to open in the Little Tokyo area. Inside the Honda Plaza next to the ever-popular Sushi Gen (and across the way from Men Oh Tokushima), the restaurant has a rather unique focus: beef nose-to-tail dining. Mainstream…
David Kinch (Manresa) Rustic Canyon 1119 Wilshire Blvd Santa Monica, CA 90401 Dining date: 11/11/13 David Kinch, chef of two-star Manresa in Los Gatos, CA, is one of the most lauded chefs in the country. I’ve been to Manresa once many years ago and, quite frankly, don’t remember much about it. For some time now,…